By Chidi Emeagi
By June this year 2024, the tenure of the current Vice Chancellor of the world class University of Nigeria Nsukka would have elapsed.
Consultations, hard-wire politicking, scheming and all manner of conspiracies are rife at this moment, all in a bid to determine who becomes the next Vice Chancellor after Prof Charles Igwe’s eventful tenure.
No doubt, the University of Nigeria is a grade A citadel of research and learning, it prides herself as arguably the only university with the most intimidating facilities, top rated and highly sought-after scholars whose academic records are as white as snow and as crystal as the lake.
In all the departments, institutes, name it, of the University of Nigeria, you can always find a man or woman roundly suitable for the Vice Chancellorship seat of the mega ivory tower, any time any day.
What you can always do, which is naturally, the right thing to do, is to get the first 11 from the pool of the eminently qualified candidates, juxtapose their curriculum vitae, experiences, years of service, exposures administrative capacities and more importantly moral abilities.
When the above stated is successfully done, without biases and emotions, the primus inter peres would certainly be spotted.
Going with the above template, a certain man stands tall among all jostling for this coveted academic cum administrative position.
The person would not just naturally emerge if the Ts are properly crossed and I’s well dotted, he would also take the University of Nigeria to her enviable pride of place in the comity of federal universities in Nigeria.
The man is non other person than Prof Bond Ugochukwu Anyaehie.
Anyaehie is a global citizen, research guru, international scholar, medical administrator and Professor of Medical Physiology and Clinical Measurement with about two decades of teaching experience at the College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu campus.
Born on 16th November, 1971, Bond Ugochukwu Anyaehie hails from Umuchukwu village, Nkwerre in Nkwerre Council Area of Imo state.
Bond Ugochukwu Anyaehie had his primary education at Central School, Nkwerre between 1976-1982 after which he enrolled into the famous St Augustine’s Grammer School Nkwerre for his secondary school. He did only one class at St Augustine’s Grammer School Nkwerre(1982-1983). He had to finish the race at Federal Government College Okigwe between1983-1989, coming out in flying colors.
The man of the moment got his MBBS from Abia State University Uturu in 1998, an M.Sc in 2004 and Ph.D in 2009 alongside an MPH in 2011.
Professor Anyaehie started his teaching career at College of Medicine, Imo State University in 2002, first as part time lecturer and later as full time lecturer.
He joined the services of University of Nigeria College of Medicine in 2007 where he rose to the rank of Reader.
He was promoted to the rank of professor of Physiology and Clinical Measurement in 2013.
Anyaehie was Deputy Provost, College of Medicine University of Nigeria between 2018 and 2022. He was acting Provost College of Medicine Imo State University as well as visiting professor from 2020 to 2022 on pro bono basis.
At Imo State University College of Medicine, Orlu, Anyaehie proved his mettle as a pace setter, agent of change and an astute administrator among administrators.
Under his watch, some of the courses which NUC, MDCN and their likes denied accreditation literally got restored and the stagnated students graduated with despatch
This was possible because Anyaehie put in place the lacking facilities and manpower that warranted the NUC/MDCN blacklisting.
Till today, Prof Anyaehie’s name is signposted and rings bell at IMSUTH, Orlu for leaving a noticable footprints in the sands of time.
A Square named after him in the campus stands as a monument of honor for this rare human being.
Prof Bond Ugochukwu Anyaehie had been a member of the Senate of the University of Nigeria, visiting scholar and Professor to several international universities in Europe, member of board of UNTH Foundation, member, Governing Council, Paul University Awka, President Enugu Men’s Christian Fellowship, among many others.
The Professor of Physiology and Clinical Measurement is a vociferous reader, tireless writer who believes in the ancient maxim of “Publish or Perish” which is no longer an issue among our university scholars hence the unimaginable dearth of teaching, learning, research and reference materials in our today academic environments.
He had contributed and still contributing in no small measure in most quotable local and international journals and books.
“Effects of Vitamin E and Selenium yeast on cognitive performance of pups whose dams were subjected to prenatal noise, alongside Piloting mutual health association establishment in Enugu state, Southeast Nigeria: Lessons learnt” are some of his co-authored works that are still standing tall.
The name professor Anyaehie is occupying a very conspicuous position in the long list of highly sought-after global researchers.
His research breakthroughs are all over the digital space.
Little wonder, he was honored with the Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology Section Research Recognition Award for his outstanding research presented at the American Physiology Summit recently.
His research interests are on Blood, malaria, HIV, Reproduction, medical education, etc.
Anyaehie’s profile on Google Scholar shows he has been cited over 1,100 times, showing a substantial influence, acceptance and respectability within the academic environment.
Professor Bond Ugochukwu Anyaehie has all it takes to steer and navigate the ship of the University of Nigeria to the safest shore.
Besides his experience, intellectual prowess, exposure, administrative ingenuity, good family background and enviable moral standing, he comes from Imo State, the only Southeast state that hasn’t taken a shot at the Vice Chancellorship seat of the University of Nigeria since her establishment in 1960.
Imo state currently doesn’t even have any of her sons or daughters occupying the VC position in any of the six federal universities in the southeast. But this will be a subject matter for another expose in my subsequent write-up if need be.
Ladies and Gentle men, great Lions and Lionesses, I present to you this intellectual power house, this research institute, this distinguished administrator and teacher of teachers, this accomplished and globally celebrated Medical Luminary, this cerebral academic, transformational leader, this good Christian, husband of one wife with God-fearing children.
This team player, rare character without any trace(s) of moral bankruptcy, this exceptionally versatile reader cum writer with topnotch digital savviness.
I present to you, Professor Bond Ugochukwu Anyaehie
Thanks and Remain blessed.
Chidi Emeagi, a Development Journalist and Editor-in-Chief of NIGERIAN NEWSGUIDE newspaper, writes in Owerri.Email:
[email protected]
